Foothill High School Instrumental Music

The Foothill High School Instrumental Music Department has a reputation of excellence in the North State. The department offers string orchestra, two award-winning concert bands, two elite jazz ensembles, two hard-working jazz combos, an outstanding marching band, a fan-favorite drumline as well as many other brass, woodwind and percussion ensembles.

Our Symphonic Band has swept instrumental categories at several Heritage Festivals in years past. Our Symphonic Band and Concert Band consistently perform at an elite level; either band (and many times BOTH concerts bands) have achieved Superior Ratings at the CMEA Region II Instrumental Music Festival 16 years in a row.

The bands are active at Foothill; performing at all home football games (featuring entertaining halftime shows), assemblies and several basketball games. In addition to our concert band, field show, and pep band duties, our marching band proudly serves the community in several local parades.

The FHS Jazz Program is one of the North State’s best. Both jazz ensembles have received Superior Ratings at several prestigious jazz festivals in recent years. Jazz A also serves as the Club Cougar Orchestra during the month of February. The eight-night show features the orchestra performing hours of Swing-Era Jazz in a Chicago nightclub setting; backing all the vocals and dances - providing music for the entire evening.

Our program takes pride in being active in the community through musical acts of service, performing on both Veteran's Day and Memorial Day in various parts of the North State. In addition, the band serves our immediate area by running several music festivals for our feeder schools and performing at many local schools every year.